Sotheby's Geneva sold the most important emerald and diamond tiara to have appeared at auction in over 30 years for CHF 11,282,500 /$12,736,927, the highest price ever achieved for a tiara at auction. Collector members of the ARTKABINETT social network love a good auction frenzy.
Six bidders competed for the magnificent and extremely rare emerald and diamond tiara, circa 1900 shown left, which was formerly in the Collection of Princess Katharina Henckel von Donnersmarck (est. CHF 4.6-9.2 million/$5-10 million [lot 443]). The price it fetched also represented an auction record for a piece of emerald jewellery.
The total for the entire sale of Magnificent and Noble Jewels was CHF 78,944,900 / $89,121,687 (est. CHF 41.9 - 69 million / $ 47.3 ñ 77.9 million).
The total Sotheby's achieved for Noble Jewels, including the tiara, was CHF 19,618,300/$ 22,147,295 (against pre-sale estimates of CHF 7,282,000-13,203,500/$8,220,723 - 14,905,563).
Condesa de Romanones' collection
Among other highlights of the Noble Jewels section were jewels from the Collection of the Excelentisima Sra. Condesa vda. de Romanones, a Grande de Espana (portrait right) who was recruited to become an OSS agent in Madrid during World War II before marrying Don Luis de Figueroa y Perez de Guzm·n el Bueno, Count of Quintanilla in 1947.
She was born in the US and went to Spain as a spy working for the predecessor of the CIA. Iin Madrid she met her husband, the heir of an important noble family and so she became one of the best known socialites of her time.
She was an icon amongst European and American celebrities for her good taste and her jewellery collection.
She lives in Madrid and, although she is almost ninety, she has become a well known writer, with her memoirs just published this year.
The holder of Spain's highest decoration: the Order de Isabel la Catolica, a best-selling author, the most generous of hostesses and a Grande de Espana, the Excelentisima Sra. Condesa Vda. de Romanones has led a life packed with allure, mystique and adventure. Her story would make a truly great film plot.
The Condesa was born Aline Griffith in Pearl River NY. After a rigorous training, as a young lady she worked in Madrid as a spy during the critical years of the Second World War, at a time when the city was an important hub for espionage.
Her contributions were to prove vital for the United States and their allies as seen later at the Nuremberg trials. "I stepped out into a completely unknown world", she said in her first book, The Story of Pascualete, (her husband's family estate dating from the thirteen century).
But, it was a world which soon capitulated, as it yielded to the dazzling, stylish American beauty, who effortlessly and gracefully adapted to her new life in Spain. In 1947, dressed in Balenciaga couture, the Condesa married don Luis de Figueroa y Perez de Guzm·n el Bueno, the dashing scion of one of the grandest families of the realm.
The Condesa, a Hall of Fame member of the International Best Dressed List, soon after became the toast the grand monde. She established herself at the centre of society, hosting shooting parties and entertaining lavishly in her homes.
Her guest list included the world leaders of the twentieth century as well as key players in Hollywood and members of the European aristocracy.
"It seems to me that my husband and I went from one after the other", the Condesa reflects today on the frenetic social scene which erupted after the end of the War, where grand Balls were de rigueur.
Charles de Besteigui's Ball at Venice's Labia Palace and the many balls that the Condesa attended at Ferrières, home of her friend the extraordinary Marie-Hélène de Rothschild, are favourite highlights of this era.
The Condesa recollects, "My Era was the end of the glamour the world had known for centuries", where quick wit, beauty and elegance were of paramount importance. "With great Jewels you can walk into any exceptional place and know you belong" she adds, stressing that although dress, hair and makeup are always important, jewels are indispensable.
"The jewels give importance to you and what you wear. It is what their sparkle do for you. A simple black dress and a knock-out jewel always light a room. They make you glitter. Jewels are a definite advantage to women".
Among her many friends were the Duke and Duchess of Windsor - the latter, "treated me like a daughter" the Condesa recounts. Her vast and eclectic circle included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, 'Babe' Paley and Betsy Cushing Whitney, as well as Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, the legendary Cayetana XVIII Duchess of Alba and screen icons, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Ava Gardner.
The Condesa is a peerless witness to an elegant, but vanishing world, epitomised by Capote's mythical swans.
The Excelentisima Sra. Condesa Vda. de Romanones encapsulates the magnificent poise of European aristocracy, combined with New World flair, zest and a lack of self-consciousness.
From the Countess of Romanones collection was an emerald and diamond demi-parure (above right) from the 1960s, which was competed for by six bidders and sold for CHF 362,500/$409,230 (lot 407, est. CHF 100,000-150,000/$103,000-147,000), a ruby and diamond necklace/brooch combination from the 1970s, which sold for CHF 170,500/$192,479 (lot 409, est. CHF 80,000-150,000/ $81,500-147,000) and a pair of ruby and diamond pendent earrings, 1950s, which sold for CHF 17,500/$19,756 (lot 410, est. CHF 14,000ñ18,000/ $15,000-20,000).
Testament to the Countessí close relationship to the Duke and the Duchess of Windsor was an important "Cadenas" diamond bracelet/watch, gifted to the Countess by the Duchess herself.
Dating circa 1936, this exquisite piece signed Van Cleef & Arpels, which sold for five times the high estimate to fetch CHF 362,500/$409,230 (lot 411, est. CHF 46,000-63,000/ $49,900-68,500).
